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his tongue began its enthusiastic duel with hers. Wavering and shamefully erotic, the sounds came from the back of her throat. She stood on her toes and herfingers curled tight into the tails of the burgundy shirt hanging outside the black carpenter’s jeans he wore.
    Therin needed to cast off the heat about to consume him but he was already caressing the seductive swells of her breasts. His sleek ebony brows drew closer and he deepened the kiss. Any second, and her towel would be on the floor.
    He pulled away then. “You need to get dressed.” His tone was gruff and he turned away. One of them had to exercise a cool head. Why? He had no idea, but the thought had managed to give him pause regardless.
    â€œI didn’t ask you to stop,” she sweetly reminded him.
    â€œUnfortunately,” he winced and realized he’d spoken aloud, before massaging the bridge of his nose. “Get dressed.” His tone was almost pleading then. While he intended to have her— all of her—it was far too soon to indulge in the many things he wanted to do with her. “Kianti…”
    She waved toward the living room. “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.” She watched him stroll toward the window instead. Yes, manners left at the door when pleasure was at stake, she silently confirmed on her way out of the room.
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    â€œIs this better?” she asked minutes later.
    Therin tried not to stare. Her gray lounge dress had its wrist-hugging sleeves and was made of a clingy cotton material. While covering every inch of her skin, it emphasized every dip and curve she possessed. The only thing on his mind then, was whether or not she was nude beneath it.
    He waited on her to choose a seat. Kianti noted thathe seemed pleased that she didn’t select the sofa but curled up on one of the overstuffed chairs flanking it.
    â€œMay I get you anything?” she asked once he’d settled on the chair before her.
    â€œI’m good.” His light, deep-set eyes scanned the room in one continuous take. “Some place you’ve got here.”
    â€œIsn’t it?” She propped a fist against her thick hair trussed up in a flouncy ponytail and smiled. “Got it from an elderly scientist I met after a concert. The lower level where you came in used to be his lab. I converted it into a private studio.”
    â€œImpressive.”
    â€œVery. That elevator was once the only access—comes right up through the cliffs the house sits on.”
    Therin whistled.
    Kianti shrugged. “The guys forbid me to take it. But if it gets stuck, the top panels open and there’s a ladder that leads up to the house.”
    â€œGood to know.” He laughed.
    â€œThey had me have the top-level access constructed.” She smoothed her hands over the dress’s long snug sleeves. “If you’d come past the other houses, I could’ve greeted you personally.”
    â€œOr not—considering you were in the um…shower.” He cleared his throat over the last word.
    Kianti shifted on the chair. “You must’ve just missed us when we left the other day,” she added quickly to change the subject. “Not to mention I wasn’t expecting you.” She gave Therin a slight wink.
    â€œYeah.” A quick frown marred the sensual elegance of his features. “There was business.”
    â€œNot good business?” She tilted her head inquisitively.
    â€œIs there such a thing?” He shook his head and rubbed his hands together. “I only wanted you to know that I hadn’t broken my promise.”
    â€œAnd I appreciate you coming all this way to tell me that.” Her dark eyes twinkled knowingly.
    He braced his elbows to his knees. “I did have an ulterior motive.”
    â€œShall I guess?”
    Therin’s thoughts returned to the kiss. “You, uh… You know about my involvement with EYES?” he asked, figuring that line